Filling mixing weft replenishing loom



Nov. 28, 1944. w. H.WAKEFIELD 2,363,628

FILLING MIXING WEFT REPLENISHING' LOOM Fild 00%. 28, 1943 4 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTQFL WALTER. H. WAKEFIELD ATTGRNEY Nov. 28, 1944. w. H. WAKEFIELD 7 2 FILL-1N6 MIXING WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM Filed Oct. 28, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. WALTEFL H. WAKEFIELD TORNEY Nov. 28, 1944. I w. H. WAKEFIELD FILLING MIXING WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM Filed Oct. 28, 1943 V 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

WALTER H. WAKEFIELD ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1944 UNITED STATE S PATENT omcs ,FILLING MixING WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM' I Walter H. Wakefield, Worcester, Mass, assignor to Cromp ton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 28, 1943, Serial No. 508,007 3 e 27 Claims. (or. 139mm) This invention relates to improvements in filll ing mixing weft replenishing looms and it is the general object of the invention to provide improved means by which each of two shuttles may be replenished from a plurality of bobbin,

stacks of a multi-stack weft replenishing, mechanism. I I In order to prevent barl marks in the weaving of certain fabrics it is customary to employ two shuttles which are alternately active for short intervals. Thus, it is common practice to lay two picks of weft with one shuttle, the next two picks with a second shutte, the third pair of picks with the first shuttle etc., so that any slight difference which may exist in the color of the two wefts will be blended. Much of the fabric requiring this kind of manipulationpf I the shuttles is woven on looms having a four-,- cell stationary magazine customarily arranged so that four different colors can be woven, When the fabric isof the same color and woven with two shuttles itis desirable that the full.capacity of the magazine be utilized for replenishing the shuttles.

It has been proposed heretofore to utilize a pawl and ratchet operated cam which moves the stack selector progressively according to a given sequenceso that bobbins are drawn from several stacks at a uniform rate. The cam as here- 3o tofore employed has been used with only one shuttle and has cooperated with a lever located on one1side of the cam so that only those dwells respect to the other pair of stacks.

front of the cam to position theselector with In order that the cam or stop may presentdifferent surfaces to'the devices which it controls I provision is made for turning it by some part of the loom which, has a movement incidental to a replenishing operation, such as theshaft Which turns upon resetting of the magazine.

Pawl and ratchet mechanisms; have been employed in thepast for this purpose, the pawl, turning the, ratchet and cam fastenedto it at som time in-the cycle of loom operations when theselector can safely be moved longitudinally.

When two positioning members are to engage opposite sides of thecam provision must bemade I to havethe cam so shaped that in its step by step movement and also in, its alternate engagement with-the members, each of the latter will change its position for: each replenishing opera,-, tion, otherwise one stack will become depleted more rapidly than the other. It is accordingly another object of my present invention to providea single cam or stop so constructed that as it is moved step by step andis also engaged alternately by the, positioning members the latter y will shift the selector to:draw bobbins uniform:

ly from the several stacks. I have found that with four stacks a cam having eight I angular I movements to complete a rotation thereof will or areas of the cam adjacent to the lever could be utilized for placingthe selector. When it is desired to utilize-.a pair of stacks for each of two shuttles, however, this form of I cam and lever arrangement will not effect drawing of,

bobbins from alternate stacks for each shuttle;

It is an important object of my present in-- vention to provide means whereby a progres sively fed multi-step cam can be utilized to position the selector with respect to two different I pairsof stacksso that bobb ns will be drawn alternately from the stacks of each pair of stacks position of the selector with respect to one pair of stacks, while the other member engages the accomplish the aforesaid results if the contour provides a highdwell for -,two angular move-, ments, a low dwell for thenext two, a high dwell forthe third pair of movements, and. a second low dwell for the fourth pair of movements. In one of its settings such a cam will causes=bob 'bins tobe drawn from the stacks in-a given order, but in another setting of the cam a dif ferent order results, butwith either order each complete rotation ofthe cam will causefour bobbins to be drawn from each pair of stacks for the replenishment of thecorrespond ng shutwill be 'drawnfrom each:

tle, and two bobbins stack. t I I I I It is another object of the invention toprovide a control for the cam feed wherebysuccessive initiations of replenishment of the; two shuttles shall becompleted and whereby the replenishment of either shuttle; once init ated, will be completed even though an intervening replenishment of the other shuttle should occur. With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my -invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth. Int-the accompanying drawings, wherein a Fig. 1, showing the controller for the shield convenient embodiment of my invention is set forth,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a weft replenishing mechanism as seen from the center of the loom provided with my invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of certain parts shown in Fig. 1, 7

Figs. 3 and 4 are front and rear elevations looking in the directions of arrows 3 and 4, respectively, Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a loom having my invention applied thereto,

Figs. 6 to 9 are diagrammatic views showing the cam and associated parts in different positions and illustrating a sequence starting with the cam in one position, 2

Figs. 10 to 13 are views similar to Figs. 6 to 9 but with the sequence starting with the cam in a different position,

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section on line I 4-l4, of the cam operating pawl, and

Figs. 15 and 16 are diagrammatic views showing the controller and shield in two different positions,

. A weft replenishing mechanism of the type to which my present invention may be applied is shown in Fig. 1 wherein a. loom frame I 0 supports a reserve bobbin magazine R having four stacks ll, l2, l3 and I4 which are respectively provided with vertically reciprocable bobbin releasers l5, I6, I! and I8. Each releaser has the lower end thereof associated with a bobbin cradle 20 which is normally empty but which is rocked in one direction when a releaser is raised to receive a bobbin from the associated stack, and is then rocked in the opposite direction when the releaser is depressed to discharge the bobbin and allow it to move to transfer position.

A color slide or selector includes in its construction a shaft or rod 26 and a casting 21 from which project releaser lifter fingers 28 and 29, respectively. The front finger 28 is provided for the front pair of releasers l5 and I 6 while the rear finger 29 cooperateswith rear pair of releasers l1 and 18. The selector is movable longitudinally so that the fingers may register with the releasers one at a time.

A vertical rod '30 is provided for rocking the selector 25 about its axis in any of the four positions which it may assume. This rod is-so controlled by well-known mechanism that it is moved downwardly when a shuttle in box B on the lay L under the magazine indicates weft exhaustion, thereby lifting the fingers 2B and 29 so that the releaser registered with the selector will be'raised. At a later time rod 30 is moved upwardly to rock the selector 25 in the opposite direction and give the fingers 28 and 29 a downward motion for the purpose of depressing the previously raised releaser.

v A transferer arm 33 of usual construction is pivoted on "a fixed stud 34 and is operated by known mechanism to move downwardly to effect replenishment of a shuttle in box B. The upper end of each of the releasers is provided with a dog 3'! which acts to rock a top shaft 483 when a releaser is depressed for the purpose of setting the magazine for replenishment. This shaft 40 is connected by a rod 42 to a shuttle position detector 44 pivoted on a fixed stud 45 carried by the magazine R. The lower part 46 of the positioner 44 may be provided with the usual, cutter and includes, a head which detects the position of the shuttle to prevent transfer if the shuttle is too widely misplaced. In the event of a normal transfer, part 46 is pushed forwardly by the lay to effect a left hand rotation of the positioner 44 as viewed in Fig. l as the lay moves forwardly during a replenishing beat for the purpose of rocking shaft .40 back to its normal position.

The rod 26 has secured thereto a collar 50 having a groove 5| to receive a lug 52 on a lever 53 having a fixed pivot 54 on the magazine frame. A spring 55 acts on lever 53 and tends to move the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 for the purpose of moving the selector 25 forwardly. A ratchet wheel is secured to a lock wheel 6! cooperating with a yielding lock arm 62 and both wheels are mounted for rotation on a fixed stud 65. A lever 66 movable about a fixed pivot 61 is provided with a pawl 68 to turn the ratchet wheel 60. A rod 69 extends upwardly from lever 66 and is attached to an arm m on shaft 40. Whenever the latter shaft has a resetting motion as already described it will lift the pawl and cause a partial rotation of ratchet wheel 60 and the lock wheel 6|.

The matter thus far described is of the usual construction and for further understanding of the same reference may be had to prior Patents Nos. 1,030,748 and 2,291,997. Each time the magazine is reset after being set for transfer, whether or not transfer ensues, the pawl will give the ratchet wheel an advance feeding motion which, by mechanism to be described hereinafter, determines the position of the selector, 25.

In carrying my present invention into effect, I mount a cam 15 on the stud and secure it to the ratchet and lock wheels. The ratchet wheel has eight teeth so that eight resetting operations of the magazine are required to produce a complete rotation of cam '15. I also provide the lever 53 with a second arm 76 which extends in front of the cam 15, or on the opposite side of the latter from the arm ll of lever 53. The arms l5 and 11 are provided with studs, rolls, or-the iike l8 and 19, respectively, for engagement with the cam 15.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5 .I have shown the left hand side of the loom as provided with gang G of shuttle boxes having top and. bottom shuttle boxes 89 and 8! each movable to active position inalignment with theshuttle race 82 on the lay L. The box B is at the opposite end of the lay and alternately receives shuttles S and S which are picked respectively from the boxes 89 andill when the latter are active. .tobe understood that the gang G may shift in a four-pick cycle so thatshuttle S is active for two picks and then shuttle S is active for two picks, after which shuttle S becomes active again for another pair of picks, and the sequence is repeated so that first two picks of the weft of shuttles S is laid and then two picks of the weft of shuttle S thereby eifecti'ngth'e previously mentioned blend. A connector 85' extends from the gang G or some part moving in timed relation with it across the loom and upwardly to be connected with the arm 86 of lever 53. This connector includes a strong tension spring 81 which may be connected directly to the arm 86 so that itworks in opposition to the previously described spring 55. When shuttle S is active the connector 85 is slackened and spring 55 is free to rock lever 53 in a clockwise direc-iand shuttle S becomes active, a tension is set up It is c and roll 19 tor with stack 62, see Fig. 8 and the next partial '53rojcks to the right, two picks later rocks to the left, and afterflanotherj two picks again rocks to the right, and continues to oscillate in this wayat two pick intervals throughouttheoperw tion of the loom. During this oscillation of lever 53, first roll 19 will engage the lefthand part 'of cam 15 as viewedin. Fig. 1, and then roll 18 will engage the righthand side of the cam, these two rolls being alternately moved toward andaway from the cam at regular two-pick intervals. The connector 85 is thus seen to be a controller for lever 53 and the rolls 18 and '19 in their movements relatively to cam 15,-the con hector moving lever @85 in a counter-clockwise directionas viewed in Fig. l andthen allowing it to be moved in a clockwise direction by spring 55 as the shuttle boxes 80 and BI shownin Fig.

shift first in one direction and then in the 3 other. l

. The pawl turns cam 15 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.2, seearrow M,.Fig. 2, at each resetting operation of the magazine to give the cam'a one eighth turn. For purposes of description it maybe assumed that the periphery of the cam has eightpositioning areas,

which when read clockwise around the cam, ap-

and four bobbins fromthe frontpair of stacks Hand [2 to replenish shuttle Sand four bobbins from the stacks l3 and M to replenish shuttle S The cam areas a to it become operative in their alphabetical order to effect a uniform depletion of reserve bobbins in thefour stacks. Thecam may be considered as a stop having two steps which in their different positions control rolls 1B and 19, and in turn cleterminefthe position of the selector, l

The cam 15 can as amatter of fact be in any of its eight angularflpositions at the beginning of an eight stepsequence and the effect of, its continued partial rotations willbe to draw bobbins from. the stacks so that for eight replenishing operations two bobbins will be drawn from each stack and four bobbins will be drawn from each pair of stacks for the replenishment of the corresponding shuttle. .Figs. to 13 illustrate one of the several starting positions which may be assumed by cam 15 other than that already described. Inthese figures it is assumed that l the sequence starts with area f. in the controlling position for roll 19. Successive rocking of the cam in a left hand direction from this startstacks in the following order: area j,stacl ll;

area 9', stack [3; area h; stack [2 and area a,

stack l4; etc. In this second sequence theorder pear ,as follows: two low areas a, and 1, high .also change their relation with respect to the rolls 18 and 19. i v

areas 0 and h, 10w are-as e and hand high areas Figs. 6 to 9 set forth a sequence, which starts with roll 19 against areaa toregister the selector with stack I I, see Fig.16. At this time the shuttle boxes are downso that shuttle S is active and spring can move the selector; to itserg treme front position. If shuttle S is re plenished under these conditions, a bobbin will be drawn from the front stack! I, and there will be a one-eighth left hand turn of the cam so that area b is opposite roll 18. Upon arrival of shuttle S in the gang G the latter will shift upwardly and there will be a downward pull onarm 8'6 and roll 18 will move, against areab to permit lever 53 to swing to its rearmost position and register the selector with the rearrnost stack MQseeFig. 7, If under these conditionsshuttle S is replenished a bobbin would be-drawn from the rear stack It and cam would be givenanother one-eighth turn, in a left hand direction to place area c in engaging positionwit'h respect to roll 19.? ;When shuttle S'is again replenished the area will cooperate to register the selec turning of the cam will place area (1 in controlling position. When lever 53 again rocks to the left roll 73 will engage area cl and register the selector with stack 13 for the replenishment of shuttle S see Fig. 9. i

Since cam 15 is symmetrical the remaining halfof its rotation will effect the same registry of cam 15 starting in theposition of Fig. 6 will draw twobobbins from each of the four stacks inwhich bobbins are drawn from the stacks is different from thefirst sequence, but only one bobbin is drawn from each stack for each half turn of cam 15 and the front pair of stacks supply bobbins forthe replenishment of shuttle S while the rear pair provide bobbins for shuttle S n will be found that if any of the areas a to n,

is made the startingpoint of a sequence, the selector will register with each stack once for a half rotation of cam 15. Thus, if the sequence starts with area 0, bobbins will be drawn from the stacks l2, l3, H and M in the order named," andif the sequence starts witharea h bobbins will be drawn fromthe stacks in the order [2, l4,

II and [3.

By comparing the'order in whichbobbins are drawn from the severalstacks over acomparatively long period of operation it will be seen that there are actually only two orders,namely, the firsttwoj described; The order starting with area 0 is the same as that for, the order starting witharea a exceptthat it is out of phase with the latter order by two resettings of the magazine, and the order starting with h is similarly related to the order starting with area f. i

If there should be some variation in the length of weft wound on the bobbins of the several stacks, it may happen that two successive transferring operations would replenish one of the shuttles and there would be a shift from one sequence to the other sequence. In -the normal runn ng of the shuttlestwo' and two it may be assumed that there would be as many successive transfers for onelshuttle as for the other, and that in a period of operation corresponding to the full capacity of the magazine the efiect of shifting from onesequence to the other and then back i to the first sequencewill be to draw bobbins from the several stacks at a substantially uniform rate. Where the bobbins are all wound with weft of practically the same length, however, the shuttles will require replenishment alternately and the exact order previously described will exist.

. In the foregoing it has been assumed that each shuttle will have a periodofactivity for only two ing positionwill register the selector with the j successive picks. Certain features of the invention, however, will operatewith patterns calling for a larger number of picks from one shuttle than from the'other, although the full capacity of the pair of stacks corresponding to the less active shuttle may not be fully utilized. Under these last named conditions there might be several successive transfers for one shuttle during which the cam 15 in its step by step movement would effect two successive drawings of bobbins from one stack of the corresponding pair. and then two successive drawings from the other stack of the pair. This condition could exist whether the successive transfers involved roll 18 or 19, and it is.not necessary to shift the selector 25 from registry with one pair to registry with another pair.

If the pattern should call for a relatively wide band from shuttle S, for instance, followed by several short bands laid by both shuttles, and then followed by a wide band laid by shuttle S successive transfers could take place with respect to the front pair of stacks when shuttle S is weaving its wide band by, cooperation of roll 19 with the back of cam 15 and successive transfers would occur with respect to the rear pair of stacks when shuttle S is weaving its wide band due to cooperation between roll 18 and the front of the cam. There would be no need for the selector to shift registry with respect to the pairs of stacks in order to draw pairs of bobbins alternately from the pair of stacks corresponding to the shuttle weaving a wide band.

The structure thus far described operates satisfactorily if only one slide or releaser is in indicated or raised position at a time, a condition ,which prevails during the greater part of the weaving operation. It occasionally happens, however, that two releasers will be raised at the same time, such forinstance, as releasers I and I1, onefor each pair of bobbin stacks. Under such conditions the depression of releaser I5 and the ensuing transfer into shuttle S will cause turning of the cam, but if the latter is in certain positions after its shift the selector will register with releaser I8 upon return to action of shuttle S Therefore, the previously raised releaser I1 will not be depressed and the indication relative to shuttle S will be lost. In order to insure return of the selector to registry with the previ ously raised releaser I provide the pawl guard shown in detail in Figs. 14, and 16.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 15, the ratchet wheel is provided with a shield I00 mounted on stud'65 and having a guard IOI for pawl 68. An arm I02 of the shield is connected to a rod I03 attached to a shield controller designated generally at I055. This controller ismounted on rod of the selector for angular movement thereabout and has a rail or bar I06 extending over all the upper or lifting lugs I01 of the releasers I5 to I8 and may have a reinforcing rib I08. Extending laterally from the rail are front and back arms H0 and III, respectively, having depending bearing lugs H2 and H3, respectively, through which rod 25 passes and by which the latter supports the contrailer. The front and back bearings I I4 and I I5,

respectively, on the magazine frame in which rod 26 turns and slides serve toposition the bearings H2 and H3 with the rail I06 over the lugs I61.

Bearing lug II 3 carries an arm I I6 pivotally connected to the upper end of rod I03, and a light spring II 1 normally holds the rail I06 down on lugs I01 and'shield I00 below-pawl 58..

@In "operation, and assuming that all the releasers are down, the controller I05 and shield I00 will be in the position shown in Fig. 15. If shuttle S should indicate exhaustion one of the front pair of releasers will be raised, such as releaser I5. As the latter rises its upper lug I01 rocks the controller in a counter-clockwise direction from the position of Fig. 15 to that of Fig. 16, depressing rod I03 and rocking the shield so-that its guard I 0| moves under the pawl 68 to move the latter away from ratchet wheel 60. Shuttle S is then picked to the opposite side of the loom and shuttle S becomes active, thereby shifting lever 53 as already described. If shuttle S has ample weft it will be picked back to its box 8| with-no change in the magazine and upon completion of the shift of gang G the selector, having shifted back to registry with releaser I5, will rock to lower-the latter and set the magazine for a transferring operation, as usual, and at the same time will depress the previously raised lug I01 and permit spring II1 to lower the shield. During the subsequent rocking of shaft 40 pawl :68 will therefore advance the earn as already set forth without interference by the shield.

If, however, shuttle S had indicated exhaustion in the previously described operation, one

or another of the rear pair of releasers, such as releaser I8, would have been raised to place its lug I01 immediately under the already raised rail I065. The latter would therefore be held up by lug I01 of releaser I8 upon descent of releaser l5 and shield I00 would remain in position to prevent pawl 68 from turning the cam. When lever 53 again swings rearwardly roll 18 strikes the same part of cam 15 which it engaged when releaser I8 was raised, inasmuch as the cam has not turned, and the selector will still register with releaser I 8 despite the replenishment of shuttle S.

By reason of the controller I05 the shuttles can initiate their replenishments on successive arrivals at the magazine end of the loom with assurance that the initiated replenishing operations will be completed. Cam 15 will remain stationary so long as any releaser is up, and upon return of the corresponding roll 18 or 19 to the cam the selector will be in proper position to lower the previously raised releaser.

As already stated there are only two sequences in which bobbins can be drawn from the bobbin stacks, and the interruption of one sequence when shield I00 prevents advance of the cam will bring the other sequence into action. It is not likely, however, that'replenishment of the shuttles on successive transferring beats of the loom will occur often enough to interfere seriously: with the sequences. During by far the greater part of loom operation only one releaser will be'raised at a time and the sequence of bobbin releasers will be interrupted only occasionally. When only one releaser is raised at a time the shield will be down in time to permit the pawl to advance the cam as set forth in the first part of this description.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided simple means wherein a pair of shuttles may each be replenished from a pair of stacks of reserve bob-bins by mechanism which includes a cam movable step by step to such positions that the placer mechanism causes the selector 25 to draw bobbins uniformly from the stacks of the magazine and draw bobbins from one pair of stacks for thefre'plenishment: of one shuttle and from the other pair of, stacks for the replenishment of the other shuttle. This result is accomplished bv theuse of two positioningme mbers, that is, the rolls 18 and 19, on a single carrier, such as the lever 53, whichrocks back and forth to presentthe positioners alternately to the cam for successive resetting operations of the magazine, and the cam is sodesigned that its steps are related in sucha manner with respect to the positioners during the successive step by step movements of thecamas the positioners oscillate that the bobbins are drawn from the stacks in correct sequenceto depletethe stacks uniformly.

It will also be notedthat spring 55 will permit the selector to register with either of releasers or 16 depending upon whether roll 19 engages-a low or a high part of cam 15, and that spring 81 roll is on a low area. adjacent to, a high directions to locate said selector in the said four different positionsthereof and, dependingupon the direction in which the positioner moves, causingisaid positioner to register the selector with the releasers, one at a time,,of the pair of stackscorresponding tothe directionin which said positioner moves.

3; In aweft replenishingmechanism having two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and a bobbin releaser foreachstack operable by a' selector movable to four different positions to register with the releases, one at a timaa positioner operatively connected to said selector and moving first in one direction correspondingto one pair of stacks to move said, selector toward the releasers of said onepair: of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks tolmove said selector toward the releasers of said other pair of stacks, and means comprising a cam having high and, low steps having move ments incident to replenishing operations of the mechanism and cooperating with said positioner,

tion is true for each of the rolls "l8 and I9,

whether, they pass from alowto a high area, or

vice versa. It will further be seen that the controller Hi5 insures completion of an initiated replenishing operation for one shuttle even though the other shuttle, should be replenished in the interval during whichthe first shuttle is temporarily in gang G.

Having thus described my invention it will be seen that changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without dea parting from the spirit and scope of the invention and I do not wishto-be limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is:

1. In a weft replenishing mechanism having two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and a bobbin releaser for each stack operable by a selector movable to four different positions to register with the releasers, one at a time, a positioner operatively connected to said selectorand 1 moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair of stacks to move said selector toward thereleasers oisaid one pair of stacksand then moving in the opposite direction corresponding and, meanslco operating with said positioner, depending rupon the direction in which the positioner moves; to cause said positioner to register the selector with the releasers, one at a time, of

in which said positioner moves.

2. In a weft replenishing mechanism having the pair of stacks corresponding to the direction to the other pair of stacksto move said Selector i toward therelea-sers of said other pair of stacks,

two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins, and a selector 'movable to four different positions ,to register with the releasers, one at a time, apositioner operatively connectedtosaid selector and moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair of stacks to move said selectortoward the releasers of saidone pair of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks to move said selector toward the releasersof said other pair of stacks, andmeans moving incident to replenishing operations of the mechanism and cooperating with said positionerwhen the latter moves in said bobbin releaser for each stack operable by a i plenishing operations of the mechanism. to move l which said positioner moves.

depending uponthe directionin which the latter moves, to cause said positioner to register the selectorwith the releasers, one at a time, of the pair of stacks corresponding to the direction in 4. In a weft replenishing mechanism, having twopairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and abobbin releaser for eachstack operable by a selector movable to four different positions to register with the releasers; one at ,a time, a positioner opera-1,],

tivelyconnected to said, selector and moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair of stacks to move said selector toward the releasers of said one pair of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair (of stacksto move said selector toward the releasers of said other pairs of stacks, and means comprising a rotatable cam having two opposite high steps and two opposite lowsteps moving angularly incident toreplenishing operationsof the mechanism and cooperating with said positioner, depending upon the direction'in which the latter moves, to causesaid positioner to register the selector with the releasers, one at atime, of the pair of stacks corresponding to the direction in which said positioner moves. l c l c i 5. In a weft replenishing mechanism having two pairs ofstacksof, reserve bobbins, and abobbin releaser for each stack operable by a selector movable to four different positions to register with 1 the releasers, one at a time, a positioner having two positioning members thereon, one for each pair of stacks, and ,operatively connected to said selector and moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair ofstacks to move said selector toward the releasers of said one pair of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks to move 1 saidselector toward the releasers of said other pair of stacks, astop between said positioning members having high and low steps for alternate engagement with said positioning members, depending upon the direction in whichthe posi-= tioner moves, and means, operating incident to resaid stop and change the relation of said steps with respect to said positioning members, said members cooperating with said stop, one at a time and depending upon the direction of movement of said positionento cause the positioner to register the selector with the releasers, one at a time, of

the pair of stacks corresponding to the direction 1 in which said positioner moves.

two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and a bobbin releaser for each stack operable by a selector movable to four different positions to register with p the releasers, one at a time, a positioner operatively connectedto said selector and having two positioning members thereon, one member for each pair of stacks, said positioner moving first in one direction corresponding to one pairof stacks and then moving in the opposite'direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks, a rotatable cam between said members for engagement with said positioning members, one at a time, an actuator for said cam giving the latter step by step movements incident to replenishing operations of the mechanism, and requiring eight steps to complete a rotation of said cam, opposite high dwells and opposite low dwells on said cam, each dwell corresponding to two consecutive replenishing operations of the mechanism and each member when engaging the cam cooperating with either a high dwell or a low dwellto cause the positioner to register the selector with one or the other of the releasers of the pair of stacks corresponding to the member engaging the cam.

"7. In a weft replenishing mechanism having two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and a bobbin releaser for each stack operable by a selector movable to four different positions to register with the releasers, one at a time, a positioner operatively connected to said selector and having two positioning members thereon one for each pair of stacks, said positioner moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks, a cam requiring eight step by step movements for a complete rotation thereof, means operative upon a replenishing operation of the mechanism to give said cam a one step movement, and high and low dwells on said cam, each dwell being alternately related first to one of said members and then the other member, and a high dwell and a low dwell when cooperating with either member causing the positioner to register the selector with the releasers, one at a time, of the pair of'stacks corresponding to the member. i.

8. Ina weft replenishing mechanism having two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and a bobbin releaser'for each stack operable by a. selector movable to four different positions to register with the releasers, one at a time, a positioner operatively connected to said selector and having two positioning members thereon, one for each pair of stacks, said positioner moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks, a rotatable cam having opposite high dwells and opposite low dwells located between said members for engagement with said members, one at a time, depending upon the direction of movement of said positioner, and means effective upon an operation of said replenishing mechanism to ad- Vance said cam, thecam when moving a high dwell under either member moving the latter to cause movement of the selector from register with one releaser corresponding to the member to registry with the other member corresponding to the member.

9. In a weft replenishing mechanism having two pairs of stacks of reserve bobbins and a bobbin releaser for each stack operable bya selector movable to four different positions to regisoperatively connected to said selector and having two positioning members thereon, one for each pair ofstacks, said positioner moving first in one direction corresponding to one pair of stacks and then moving in the opposite direction corresponding to the other pair of stacks, a cam between said members soproportioned as to be engage,- able with one member only at a time, one memberengaging the cam when the positioner mdves in said one direction and the other member engaging the cam when said positioner movesin said opposite direction, said cam having high and low dwells, and actuating means to move ter with the releasers, one at a time, a positioner said cam to place the high and low dwells thereof successively in operative positions with respect to said members, each member when engaging the cam being moved thereby as the cam is moved by said actuating means to locate the selector in register with the two releasers, one at a time, of the pair of stacks corresponding to the member engaging said cam. 10. In a weft replenishing loom having two alternately active shuttles and operating with a pair of stacks of reserve bobbins for each shuttle, each stack having a bobbin releaser operated by a selector movable into register with the releasers, one at a time, controller means moving to one position when one shuttle is active and to another position when the other shuttle is active, positioning means for said selector to determine with which releaser said selector shall register, operating connections for the positioning means connected to the controller means and effectivev said positioning means in whichever of said di-l rections the latter moves and, depending upon the direction in which said positioning means moves, causin the latter to register the selector with the rele'asers, one at a time, of the pair of stacks corresponding to the direction in which said positioning means moves.

11. In a weft replenishing loom having two alternately active shuttles and operating with a pair of stacks of reserve bobbins for each shuttle, each stack having a bobbin releaser operated by a selector movable into register with the releasers, one at a time, controller means moving to one position when one shuttle is active and to another position when the other shuttle is active, positioning means for the selector including two members, one for each pair of stacks, to determine with which releaser said selector shall register, operating connections for said positioning means connected to saidcontroller means and efiece tive to move said positioning means in one di-' rection corresponding to one pair of stacks'when said controller means moves to one position theret b g 2,363,628 b shuttle is active and moving the other member lector and havingtwo arms, and a multi-step into engagement with the stop means when the other shuttle is active, and said stop means due to the different positions of the steps thereof cooperating with each member to cause the latter to locate the selector in registerwith the rele'asers, one at a time, of the pair of stacks corresponding to the member in engagement withl the stop means. 1 i r 12. In a weft replenishing loom having two al-- cam between said arms alternately engageable by said arms, said cam effective when the steps thereof engage one arm to cause the selector to time, and when the steps engage the other arm one position when one shuttle is active and to another position when the other shuttle is active,

, a pair of positioning members, one foremhrpair of stacks, operatively connected to said selector, a two-step stop common to said members to engage the latter, one at a time, operating mechanism for said members connected to said controller means and operative to cause one of said members to engage thestop when one shuttle is,

active and cause the other member to engage the stop when the other shuttle is active, and means causing said stop to present the two steps thereof in position for engagement with each member,

each member cooperating with said two steps to register the selector with the releasersgoneat a time, of the pairtof, stacks corresponding to the;

member engaging the stop. i i

13. Ina weft replenishing loom having two alternately active shuttles and operating with a pair of stacks of reserve bobbins for each shuttle,

causing the selectorto register with the remaining releasers, one at a time. i i l 16. In positioning mechanism for the selector of a weft replenishing mechanism having a plurality of bobbin releasers with which the selector registers, one at a time, said positioning meche anism comprising two control members both operatively connected to the selector to determine the position thereof, a stop common to said members provided with plural stepsfand engageable with said members, one at a time, the steps when engaging one of said members effective to cause the selector to register withcertain of the releas- 'ers, one at a time, and when engaging the other member effective to cause the selector to register of a weft replenishing mechanism having a plurality of bobbin releasers with which the selector registers, one at atime, said positioning mechanismcomprising a pairof members operatively each stackhaving a bobbin releaser operated by a selector movable into register with'said releasers,

one at a time, a two-step stop moving at each replenishing operation of the loom, a pair of positioning members, one for each-shuttle and the,

pair of stacks corresponding thereto, for alter nate engagementwith said stop andeach opera-1 tively connected to the selector, and control member when alternately engaging the two steps of the stop causing the selector to register with the releasers, one at a time, of the corresponding pair of stacks.

1 14. In a weft replenishing loom operating with having steps for engagement by said positioners,

one at a time,said stop moving and inthe differ mechanism for said positioning members to of, fect movement of one of saidmembers against the stopwhen one of said shuttles is active and effect movement of the other member against, the stop when the other shuttle is active, each ent positions thereof cooperating with each posi-,

tioner when in engagement therewith to register the selector with the releasers, one at a time, of the corresponding pair of stacks, and means moving in timed relation with said shuttleboxes to determine which positionershall engage said stop.

15. In positioning'mechanism for the selector of a weft replenishing mechanism having a plurality of bobbin releasers with which the selector registers, one at a time, said positioning mechanism comprising a lever, connected to the seconnectedto and moving with the selector, a cam having a plurality of working Surfaces located for engagement with said members one at a time,

means to give the cam a step by'step movement to position alternate working surfaces for engagement with oneof said members and position the intervening working surfaces for engagement with the other member, one of said mem-, bers when engaging the working surfaces corresponding thereto effective to register the selector with certain of the releaserscneat a time, and

the other member when engaging the working surfaces correspondingthereto effective to register the selector with the remaining releasers,

18.,In a loom operating with twoalternately active shuttles andhaving apair of stacks of depleted and thereafter effectdelivery of i the bobbin after a period of activity of the other shuttle, the selector capable of initiating bobbin delivery when either shuttle, is active so that simultaneous initiations of bobbin delivery can exist withrespect to both pairs ofstacks, two

positioning members connected to said selector, a two-levelstop common tosaid members, actuating mechanism for the members moving one of the latter against-the stop when oneshuttle ,is active and moving the other member against the stop when the otheryshuttle is active, tlieztwo levels of the stop cooperating witheach member to cause registry of the selector with the two stacks, one at a time, corresponding to the member engaging the stop, feedfmeansnormally operative incident to each delivery of a bobbin tochange the stopand levels thereof relatively to said members, and means operativewhenever release of a bobbin is initiated in any stackto prevent said feed means frommoving said stop, to the end that the selector when registered with any given stack of either pair of stacks and initiating bobbin release therein can return to registry with said given stack to effect bobbin delivery therefrom after effecting bobbin release from either stack of. the other pair stacks.

19. In a loom operating with two alternately active shuttles and having a pair of stacks of reserve bobbins for each shuttle and a selector to register with the stacks one at a time and wherein provision is madeto cause the selector to initiate delivery of a bobbin from a pair of stacks when the correspondingshuttle is active and depleted and thereafter effect delivery of the bobbin after a period of activity of the other shuttle, the selector capable of initiating bobbin delivery when eithershuttle is active so that simultaneous initiations of bobbin delivery can exist with respect to both pairs of stacks, two positioning members, one for each pair of stacks, connected to, and moving with the selector as the latter moves from registry with any stack to registry with any other stack, a rotatable stop common to said members for engagement there with one at a time, said stop having opposite high levels and opposite low levels, actuating mechanism for the members to move one of them against the stop when one shuttle is active and move the other member against the stop when the other shuttle is active, adjacent high and low levels of said stop when engaging either member causing the selector to register with the stacks, one at a time, of the corresponding pair of stacks, feed means normally operative incident to each bobbin delivery from any stack to change the stop and levels thereof relatively to said members, and means operative upon initiations of bobbin release in any stack to prevent said feed means from moving said stop, to the end that the selector when registered with any given stack of either pair of stacks and initiating bobbin release therein can return to registry with said given stack to effect bobbin delivery therefrom after efiecting bobbin release from either stack of the other pair of stacks.

20. In a loom operating with two alternately.

active shuttles and having a pair of stacks of reserve bobbins for each shuttle and a selector to register with the stacks one at a time and wherein provision is made to cause the selector to initiate delivery of a bobbin from a pair of stacks when the corresponding shuttle is active and depleted andthereafter efiect delivery of the bobbin after a period of activity of the other shuttle, the selector capable of initiating bobbin delivery when either shuttle is active so that simultaneous initiations of bobbin delivery can exist with respect to both pairs of stacks, two positioning members connected to said selectona rotatable stop common to said members and engaging them one at a time, said stop having opposite high levels and intermediate opposite low levels, each level corresponding to two bobbin delivery operations and the stop requiring eight step by step movements for a complete rotation thereof, feed means normally effective incident to each of said eight step by step movements to advance said stop one-eighth of a turn, actuating mechanism to move each member against said stop when the corresponding shuttle is active, adjacent high and low levels when engaging either member efiecting registry of the selector with the stacks, one at a time, of the corresponding pair of stacks, andmeans to prevent the feed means from advancing said stop whenever release of a bobbin is initiated in any stack, to the end that the selector when registered with any given stack of either pair of stacks and initiating bobbin release therein can return to registry with said given stack to effect bobbin delivery therefrom after eifecting bobbin release from either stack of the other pair of stacks.

21. In a weft replenishing loom operating with two shuttles and having a pair of stacks of reserve bobbins for each shuttle and a selector shiftable in opposite directions and registerable with the stacks one at a time and initiating bobbin release in a stack of one pair of stacks When the correspondingshuttle is depleted, then shifting to register with a second stack in the other pair of stacks and initiating bobbin release in the said second stack due to depletion of weft of the othershuttle and thereafter returning to register with and complete bobbin release from'the first stack and then returning to registry with the second stack to complete bobbin delivery therefrom, a stop having surfaces at high and low levels, positioning means to cause the high and low surfaces to effect registry of the selector when the latter moves'in one direction with the stacks, one at a time, of one pair of stacks and effect registry of the selector when the latter moves in the opposite direction with the stacks, one at a time, of the other pair of stacks, feed means normally operative incident to each bobbin delivery to advance said stop and change said surfaces relatively to said positioning means, and means to prevent said feed means from advancing said stop when bobbin delivery is completed from said first stack while bobbin delivery is initiatedvin said second stack.

22. A controller for the feed mechanism of the positioning cam for the selector which operates the bobbin releasers of a replenishing loom, said controller comprising preventer means movable from normal position to wqrking position to make the feed mechanism inoperative with respect to the cam, and moving means connected to said preventer means and operated by any releaser to move said preventer means to working position.

23. A controller for the feed mechanism of the positioning cam for the selector which operates the bobbin releasers of a weft replenishing loom, the selector including a shaft in its construction, said controller comprising preventer means movable from normal position to working position to make the feed'mechanism inoperative relatively to the cam, and a member connected to said preventer means and pivoted on said shaft and having a part for operation by each bobbin releaser to effect movement of said preventer means to working position.

24. A controller for the feed means of the positioning cam for the selector which operates the bobbin releasers of a weft replenishing mechanism from normal position to indicated position, preventer means movable from normal position to working position to prevent the feed means from movingthe cam, and moving means pivoted on said mechanism common to said releasers and actuated by any releaser upon movement thereof to indicated position to effect movement of said preventer means to working position.

25. A controllerfor the, pawl and ratchet of the feed mechanism of the positioning cam for the selector of a weft replenishing loom having bobbin releasers movable by the selector from normal position to indicated position, said controller comprising a shield for the pawl normally in non-shielding position, and means connected to said shield and operated by any releaser upon movement thereof to indicated position by the selector to move said shield to shielding position with respect to said pawl.

26. A controller for the pawl and ratchet of,

the feed mechanism of the positioning cam for the selector which moves the bobbin releasers of a weft replenishing loom from normal position to indicated position, said selector including a shaft in its construction, a shield for the pawl normally in non-shielding position, a member pivotally mounted on said shaft and connected to the shield, and means on the member common to the releasers to transmit a force from any releaser when the latteris moved to indicated position by the selector to the shield of registry thereof relatively to the releasers capable of causing any two releasers to be in indicating position at the same time, said positioning mechanism comprising two control members, one for each pair of releasers, and both operatively connected to the selector, a stop having steps at two difi'erent levels movable relatively to and common to said members and cooperating therewith alternately to determine the position of said selector, two steps at different levels when cooperating with one member effective to register the selector with the releasers one at a time of one pair of releasers, and two steps at different levels when cooperating with the other member effective to register the selector with the releasers one at a time of the other pair of releasers, said stop when in any one posi-, tion and in alternate operative relation with said members efiecting registry of said selector with feed means normally operative incident to each operation of the replenishing mechanism to advance said stop and alter the relation of the steps thereof with respect to said members, thereby causing said stop and members to efiect registry of the selector with releasers other than said given releasers, and means controlled by any releaser in indicated position to prevent said feed ,means from advancing, the stop.

WALTER H. WAKEFIELD. 

